Mexico Paperwork: FMM vs. DNI

operaflute · 11-14-2012, 09:23 PM

Sorting through what paperwork I'll need for a few days in Baja in early Jan.

For Baja I don't need a TVIP (temp vehicle import permit) Check.

South of Ensenada (outside of "Frontier Zone") I need permit for myself - aka tourist card. This is the FMM, I believe. (Forma MIgratoria Multiple). There is a corresponding fee (DNI - Derecho de no Immigrante, just increased to 294 pesos), which, it seems one does NOT have to pay if you are staying less than 7 days (and entering by land or sea and not going on to 3rd country).
Question: does this mean I need the FMM form, but don't pay the DNI? Or do I not need FMM at all?
There's actually a consulate a few blocks from my house, and, remarkably (or not), I did not get a clear answer from them.
What's some people's recent experiences?

Related question - Can this paperwork (obtaining FMM and paying DNI if necessary) be done if one enters on a holiday? (Jan 1)

eakins · 11-14-2012, 11:24 PM

technically yes you need a FMM but if you say 7 days it's free. 8-180 days it costs. if you are only in baja norte i doubt you'll be asked for it though.

kobukan · 11-15-2012, 05:46 AM

Where are you going?

As far as I know you don't need anything for Baja North. If you will be traveling into Baja South, or anywhere else in Mexico away from the border you'll need a tourist permit for yourself and a TVIP.

If you're close to the border and may be traveling in Mexico again in the next six months just go down to the border and get both for 180 days and be done with it. I stay in Sierra Vista when I'm in AZ and I went down to Douglas and got both permits in Agua Prieta - right at the border, very easy. Now I can travel anywhere in Mexico anytime I want for the next 180 days.

tricepilot · 11-15-2012, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eakins

technically yes you need a FMM but if you say 7 days it's free. 8-180 days it costs.

I must have been sleeping when they changed the 72 hour rule to 7 days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobukan

If you will be traveling into Baja South, or anywhere else in Mexico away from the border you'll need a tourist permit for yourself and a TVIP.

No TVIP required in BCS. There are two tourist corridors in Baja where you don't need the Tourist Card either. On the Pacific side you can pick one up if traveling beyond Guerrero Negro.

Johnnydarock · 11-15-2012, 06:42 AM

I can confirm that the FMM is free for 7 days or less but you still need to get it for mainland Mexico (except for Sonora). Baja...just go. You won't ever get stopped and asked for anything. Even if you get pulled over...they never ask for your immigration papers...just your drivers license. Remember...anything you hand to a cop will cost you money to get back...unless you know what you're doing. Have fun!

operaflute · 11-15-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

I must have been sleeping when they changed the 72 hour rule to 7 days.

The 72 hour rule applies to FMM. 7 day rule is in regards to the fee. (As far as I understand it.)

Quote:

Remember...anything you hand to a cop will cost you money to get back...unless you know what you're doing.

Hah! Any tips on that part?

tricepilot · 11-15-2012, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operaflute

The 72 hour rule applies to FMM. 7 day rule is in regards to the fee. (As far as I understand it.)

I never bother with short-stay tickets so you may very well be right.

The advice to go ahead and get one and get it for the long haul is right on target. You never know which beguiling señorita will catch your eye and you'll be down there longer than you planned.

tricepilot · 11-15-2012, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnydarock

Remember...anything you hand to a cop will cost you money to get back...unless you know what you're doing. Have fun!

Don't hand a cop anything you're not willing to part with. Done.

operaflute · 11-15-2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

You never know which beguiling señorita will catch your eye and you'll be down there longer than you planned.

Or senor!

Quote:

If you're close to the border and may be traveling in Mexico again in the next six months just go down to the border and get both for 180 days and be done with it. I stay in Sierra Vista when I'm in AZ and I went down to Douglas and got both permits in Agua Prieta - right at the border, very easy. Now I can travel anywhere in Mexico anytime I want for the next 180 days.

Good idea! (I live in Tucson). So - then you'll have to remember to return it when it expires, correct?

kobukan · 11-15-2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operaflute

So - then you'll have to remember to return it when it expires, correct?

Correct.

tricepilot · 11-15-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operaflute

So - then you'll have to remember to return it when it expires, correct?

I'd return it before it expires, but that's me.

eakins · 11-15-2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tricepilot

Don't hand a cop anything you're not willing to part with. Done.

my method is to go to a copy shop and copy on 1 sheet: front of liscense, FMM & passport and hand that to the cop.

eakins · 11-15-2012, 08:22 AM

i assume you know but you need to bring your passport as well as liscense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by operaflute

Sorting through what paperwork I'll need for a few days in Baja in early Jan.

For Baja I don't need a TVIP (temp vehicle import permit) Check.

South of Ensenada (outside of "Frontier Zone") I need permit for myself - aka tourist card. This is the FMM, I believe. (Forma MIgratoria Multiple). There is a corresponding fee (DNI - Derecho de no Immigrante, just increased to 294 pesos), which, it seems one does NOT have to pay if you are staying less than 7 days (and entering by land or sea and not going on to 3rd country).
Question: does this mean I need the FMM form, but don't pay the DNI? Or do I not need FMM at all?
There's actually a consulate a few blocks from my house, and, remarkably (or not), I did not get a clear answer from them.
What's some people's recent experiences?

Related question - Can this paperwork (obtaining FMM and paying DNI if necessary) be done if one enters on a holiday? (Jan 1)

operaflute · 11-15-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

i assume you know but you need to bring your passport as well as liscense.

Yes! Thumbs up on that.

Quote:

my method is to go to a copy shop and copy on 1 sheet: front of liscense, FMM & passport and hand that to the cop.

Good idea. Thanks. I have a similar sheet for when I drive through Ft. Huachucha. (license, MSF card, vehicle reg and ins) Easier than digging all the originals out.

Quote:

I'd return it before it expires, but that's me.

Devil's in the details, isn't it?

tricepilot · 11-15-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operaflute

Devil's in the details, isn't it?

My piccolo teacher used to tell me that

11-14-2012, 09:23 PM	#1
operaflute ^OP Starving Artist Joined: Nov 2012 Location: Tucson, AZ Oddometer: 85	Mexico Paperwork: FMM vs. DNI Sorting through what paperwork I'll need for a few days in Baja in early Jan. For Baja I don't need a TVIP (temp vehicle import permit) Check. South of Ensenada (outside of "Frontier Zone") I need permit for myself - aka tourist card. This is the FMM, I believe. (Forma MIgratoria Multiple). There is a corresponding fee (DNI - Derecho de no Immigrante, just increased to 294 pesos), which, it seems one does NOT have to pay if you are staying less than 7 days (and entering by land or sea and not going on to 3rd country). Question: does this mean I need the FMM form, but don't pay the DNI? Or do I not need FMM at all? There's actually a consulate a few blocks from my house, and, remarkably (or not), I did not get a clear answer from them. What's some people's recent experiences? Related question - Can this paperwork (obtaining FMM and paying DNI if necessary) be done if one enters on a holiday? (Jan 1) __________________ Clicky for Ride Reports (and other things): Eating On Two Wheels

11-14-2012, 11:24 PM	#2
eakins Butler Maps Joined: May 2002 Location: Colorado - Fort Collins Oddometer: 14,431	technically yes you need a FMM but if you say 7 days it's free. 8-180 days it costs. if you are only in baja norte i doubt you'll be asked for it though. __________________ Butler Maps - motorcycle maps for riders by riders - Ozarks , Nor Cal , COBDR shipping, AZBDR scouting http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598717 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/butlermaps

11-15-2012, 05:46 AM	#3
kobukan almost gnarly Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Saco ME Oddometer: 1,480	Where are you going? As far as I know you don't need anything for Baja North. If you will be traveling into Baja South, or anywhere else in Mexico away from the border you'll need a tourist permit for yourself and a TVIP. If you're close to the border and may be traveling in Mexico again in the next six months just go down to the border and get both for 180 days and be done with it. I stay in Sierra Vista when I'm in AZ and I went down to Douglas and got both permits in Agua Prieta - right at the border, very easy. Now I can travel anywhere in Mexico anytime I want for the next 180 days. __________________ '97 R1100GS, '99 DR350, '02 DR650, '03 DR650, '04 R1150RT A Few Days Solo to Copper Canyon A Maine Rider’s Arizona Day Trips A Few Days Solo in Baja kobukan screwed with this post 11-15-2012 at 06:03 AM

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11-15-2012, 06:42 AM	#5
Johnnydarock Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2009 Location: Redondo Beach CA Oddometer: 158	I can confirm that the FMM is free for 7 days or less but you still need to get it for mainland Mexico (except for Sonora). Baja...just go. You won't ever get stopped and asked for anything. Even if you get pulled over...they never ask for your immigration papers...just your drivers license. Remember...anything you hand to a cop will cost you money to get back...unless you know what you're doing. Have fun!